A SLOW start cost the Hamilton Kangaroos in their Hampden Football Netball League Open netball clash against Cobden on Saturday.

The Bombers burst out of the block at Melville Oval, putting up 17 first-quarter goals to lead by nine at the first break.

Hamilton made some changes at the first break and got right back into the contest, as the Kangaroos scored 14 goals to seven to go into half time trailing by just two goals.

Cobden pushed the margin out in the third term to five goals, but the home side was determined to stick with the Bombers and was searching for a win, but the final whistle blew with the blue and white behind on the scoreboard, 43-46.

Kelsey Lewis put up 22 goals to be named the Kangaroos’ best, while Hayley Sherlock added 21.

Kangaroos coach, Nat O’Dea said it was another strong performance against a premiership contender.

“Obviously two top teams in the past two weeks wasn’t ideal, but we have had to step up for two weeks in a row,” she said.

“(The slow start was) probably a mix of things, they are a very fast team and they were getting some very good ball into their goalies.

“We had a bit of reflection at quarter time and we slowed it down and took back control when we did have the ball.

“Our defensive pressure was down and it lifted and we got great turnover ball.

“Raz (Rhianne Lewis) came off and Ella (Sevior) went into GK and it proved to be a good change,”

Leesa Iredell missed the round seven clash with illness, reducing the squad to nine, but the midcourt worked well in her absence.

Clare Crawford played a full game in WA, while the combination of Lewis and Sherlock in goals proved to be a positive.

“Both Hayley and Kelsey, it would be their highest for the season and would have gone above 80 per cent accuracy,” O’Dea said.

“Hayley and Kelsey do combine extremely well together and I have coached them both out at Penshurst and we won premierships together.”

With losses to ladder leader, South Warrnambool, and third-placed Cobden, totalling 12 goals, the team is full of confidence.

“The aim is to win nine or 10 goals and that will get us into finals, and that is achievable,” he said.

“Finals are the ultimate aim for this group of goals and I think they’ve proved in the past two weeks that they are a top five team.”

Hamilton sits in ninth position, but are just three games out of the top five and if they can continue to play the consistent style for the rest of the season, they may slide into finals contention.